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Engine Vibration

Sent to Car Experts May 25 2005 at 4:35 AM
   

I have a strange problem with a 1996 Ford Thunderbird (V6).    
The engine vibrates, but only after the air conditioner is switched on. It is only noticeable at low rpm. The vibration continues after the A/C is switched off. I f the engine is turned off and restarted with the A/C off, it doesn't vibrate. The vibration is relatively high speed. It makes the radiator shake hard enough to make a rattling noise. The engine doesn't make any unusual noise. My mechanic thinks it might be a faulty coil pack. I have talke to several people who supsect a defective harmonic balancer. Can you help?    

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $20
Info Request
May 25 2005 at 12:04 PM (7 hours and 29 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
 It should be easy enough to recognize the different between a cylinder not firing and just a vibration like a balancer. Any damage to the balancer should be visable, especially if you try to turn the engine over with the crank bolt.
Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
Reply
May 26 2005 at 4:51 AM (16 hours and 46 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tech501's Post: The vibration is too high frequency to be one cylinder missing. Also, when the vibration is occurring it is constant, not intermittent. The best way I can think of to describe the vibration frequency is about the same as a drum roll.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 26 2005 at 5:27 AM (35 minutes and 16 seconds later)
         
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Steve7654 -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1795 Car Accepts
27 yrs ASE L1 Master Technician, Service manager
Answer
May 26 2005 at 5:32 AM (5 minutes and 31 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
   Also, after doing a little research I have found several mentions of an updated balancer design released by Ford for 6 cyl taurus engines of the same year; I am not sure if this is also applicable to the T-bird version, but it may be worthwhile to check with your local Ford parts department to see if there is an updated balancer available due to durability or vibration problems on this vehicle. 
Steve7654 -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1795 Car Accepts
27 yrs ASE L1 Master Technician, Service manager
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